Lesbian bars in London

Time Out’s guide to the lesbian bars and pubs that give London the best lesbian scene in the world

By Time Out editorsUpdated: Fri Jan 7 2011

Click here for London's best lesbian club nights Candy BarLondon's only full-time women's venue was originally launched in 1996 by promoter Kim Lucas, who painted the walls pink and introduced lap and pole dancers. Candy Bar is run by women, for women - or 'by girls, for girls' as the press release puts it. In early 2011 the bar introduced new regular nights Monster on Saturdays - all about monster hits we know and love, from the last few decades - and dirty electro night EcLekTra on Wednesdays.Candy Bar, 4 Carlisle St, LondonW1D 3BJ (7494 4041/www.candybarsoho.com). Tottenham Court Road tube. Open from 5pm-11.30pm Sun-Thurs; 5pm-2am Fri, Sat.

Drill HallIf
you want to mingle with the lesbian arty crowd, the Drill Hall is
crawling with women who are theatrically inclined, plus general culture
vultures and studenty types. Note: the bar is attached to the Drill Hall
theatre, and is only open on performance nights.Drill Hall, 16 Chenies Street, WC1E 7EX (7307 5060/www.drillhall.co.uk). Goodge Street tube. Open from 6pm on performance nights only.Friendly Society The futuristic decor alone makes the Friendly Society worth a visit. And though the bar is hidden in a basement on a dark alley, the designers have cheered things up with mirror balls, violet lighting and a sky blue ceiling; the kitschy decorative touches prevent the modern space from feeling too clinical. The bar attracts a healthy mix of women and men, media luvvies and the odd celeb, especially when DJs visit on Fridays and Saturdays. Basement, 79 Wardour Street, W1D 6QB (7434 3805). Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus tube. Open 4-11.30pm Mon-Thurs; 4pm-noon Fri, Sat; 4pm-10.30pm Sun.

Girls Go DownSoho’s Girls Go Down has become the forgotten bar of the lesbian scene. Most women over the age of 20 can’t stand the place. And no wonder: G-A-Y’s sister space is not a very appealing place: it’s cramped and hidden in the basement of the popular men’s bar – en route to the toilets, no less. The dim lighting, multiple video screens and pumping music (mainly pop, R&B and chart tunes) are not conducive to conversation. Still, the cheap drinks attract a studenty crowd, there’s a flirty atmosphere and the bar staff are friendly. Girls Go Down, G-A-Y Bar, 30 Old Compton Street, W1D 4UR (7494 2756/www.g-a-y.co.uk).
Leicester Square or Tottenham Court Road tube. Noon-midnight daily.

Oak BarA hub for north London lesbians, the Oak Bar is a big and unpretentious queer boozer with a couple of great club nights for women. There’s Lower the Tone, a kitsch mixed party held on the last Friday of the month, and Oysters, a women’s R&B night on the third Saturday. The rest of the time, a vaguely alternative crowd gathers here to drink beer, cocktails or shooters, or to play pool. There’s outside seating in the summer too. Oak Bar, 79 Green Lanes, N16 9BU (7354 2791). Manor House tube/73, 141, 341 bus.
Open 5pm-midnight Mon-Wed; 5pm-1am Thur; 5pm-3am Fri, Sat; 4pm-midnight
Sun.

Retro BarSister in spirit to the bohemian Royal Vauxhall Tavern, the Retro Bar is the queen of the alternative gay scene for central London. It’s hidden down a quaint little alley, so it has a best-kept secret feel. Inside, the ambience is cosy and eccentric, with a jukebox that spins alternative and 1980s music. Although it always draws a mixed crowd, the busiest nights for girls are Monday and Wednesday, when women drop by while waiting for the doors to open at nearby Heaven. The upstairs bar is a great place to chat or have a date – it’s a bit quieter – while the ground-floor pub offers a range of themed nights, including a poptastic music quiz (Tuesdays) and karaoke (Wednesday). Retro Bar, 2 George Court, off Strand, WC2N 6HH (7839 8760). Charing Cross tube/rail. Open noon-11pm Mon-Fri;
2pm-11pm Sat; 2-10.30pm Sun.

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Hey ladies its pride this weekend, dont want to go alone but do want to have a good time..
Soooo I would like to get a little group of us together and head down there, its the weekend why not???
Im Dee, Im 24 Black and from london.. If your up for it let me know, and i might see you there :)
Email: dee2353@googlemail.com and i can send you a pic and my number :)

Hi ladies,
I'm Julie, 20 years old, student, coming to London for a pride (June 28th - 30th) and I'm looking for a companion. So if you're in the same situation, just send me an email or add me on Facebook (july.mcline@seznam.cz) and we can hang out together.

I am not a big fun of candy bar...lesbians in London are not that friendly and usually they play a lot of games and..they look like boys...no one seems to be serious ...it's been sad lesbian life here ...I think that's why they drink a lot..

Hi, I am an Italian girl in London. I'm 27, slim figure and attactive (so they say :-P ); I've recently discovered some interest in girls, so I'd like to meet someone and explore this interest. If you are interested, please email me at verdearre at hotmail dot it . Please note also that I have a boyfriend, but rest assured that he knows everything and it's fine for him.

Hey girls, I am new in london and would like to visit these bars, but I don't want to go alone :) I'm 21 years old student, good looking and wanting to have some fun :}} write for me to lauramyli@gmail.com

Hi ladies, I'm a Ann summers party organiser, so if wanna hold a party at your house with friends I can come and we play a few party games, show you what stuff there is for sale ; clothes and some toys, and you can order through me! Whoever holds the party gets discount, if sales are £200 min you get 10 per cent off your order or £300 min 20 per cent off?! Sounds good dont it..... You can email me for a catalogue link xxx

Hi, girls. :-) Me and my (girl)friend (24 years old) we'lI be coming to London in May and if there are any girls who want to have some fun for couple of days, don't hesitate to contact me: mrslea@ymail.com. X

Hi! im hard working girl, i have my life and friends and now i ...need... something just physical ....
im 25, longer dark hair, blue eyes, very womanish, female bode, live in london
You: confident, feminine, hot;) - please only girls